"Yes! Aoo!"
Startled by the confirmation, she leapt up and her head made intimate contact with the table beside her, a series of thuds echoing from upstairs, causing Hatch and Rei downstairs to undergo a series of facial changes.
"Hatch, why don't you get more acquainted? I'll go take a look upstairs."
Saying this, Rei went upstairs, leaving Hatch and Zeraora together. As a newly appeared male in the house and a feline in a canine family, they really needed a good chat.
Meanwhile, upstairs, Setsuna also heard the approaching footsteps. A sort of inherent suppressive force of bloodline gradually reached her, and seeing the table she overturned and the bewildered Wanda, a thought suddenly crossed her mind.
"Wanda, is the food tasty?"
"Delicious."
"I didn't bring much this time, but there will be more delicious things in the future. How about doing your sister a favor now?"
"What kind of favor?"
"Like this, like this...."
Setsuna spoke fast, and before Wanda could understand, she assumed Wanda agreed to her terms and moved her into a suitable position. Just as she finished arranging the scene, Rei came upstairs.
"Setsuna, after all these years, you're still just as...."
She thought Setsuna must have caused some trouble, but when she came up, she saw Wanda standing among a bunch of snacks and gift boxes, with Setsuna tidying things up.
"What's going on?"
"Wanda accidentally knocked over my backpack. It's nothing major; I'll have it cleaned up in no time. Are you having a pleasant chat with Zeraora?"
It seemed flawless, yet it was full of flaws. Given Rei's understanding of Wanda, she's not usually that curious, but Wanda went along with Setsuna's story.
This was Setsuna's impromptu way of passing the buck, certainly better than being a clumsy grown-up. Rei noticed something but didn't expose it; it was good if the sisters had a great relationship.
So she joined in tidying up, and a few minutes later, the place was all cleaned up.
"Let's go, you suddenly came back, and dinner's not ready yet. Seems like we'll need to prepare two more servings."
As she led them downstairs, Rei remarked, "Next time, think about the plausibility. While Wanda could yank your backpack, she wouldn't flip your table, plus everyone heard your yell just now."
"Ah, mom, what are you talking about?"
"You know what I mean, let's just leave it at that for this time. Come on, let's see how your dad is getting along with him."
Mother-in-law tends to be more and more fond of the son-in-law, and Rei had nothing against Zeraora, but Hatch might not feel the same.
When they appeared downstairs again, the scene was extremely harmonious and bizarre. Hatch was puffing on a cigar as if wearing a tight suit, and there was a smell of alcohol.
Those were the things Queen confidently stuffed into Zeraora's backpack back then. By his account, tobacco and alcohol would always come in handy, and it must be said he was right this time.
Due to the nation's location, tobacco and alcohol are scarce resources in Zou; ordinary tobacco can't grow here at all. Usually, the Fur Race smokes dried leaves most of the time.
The impact of tobacco on these generally monstrous physique people is negligible, and they love the sensation, so the high-end cigars Queen prepared really got Hatch interested.
Some of Kaidou's supplies also ended up with Zeraora, and the tobacco and alcohol strategy got Hatch familiar with Zeraora to the point of exchanging clothes in just a few minutes.
Exchanging attires is Zou's highest etiquette to outsiders. Although Zeraora, in their view, is also Fur Race, this kind born outside the sea is an outsider too, appropriate for this etiquette.
This is one reason why Setsuna always wanted to exchange clothes with Zeraora. Due to feminine clothing, Zeraora never agreed until she changed into a unisex outfit; before that, Setsuna even had a period of disappointment.
However, the size disparity between Hatch and Zeraora was quite large; Hatch's clothes for Zeraora were as large as a cloak, whereas for Hatch, Zeraora's clothes were completely tight.
If not for battle convenience, Zeraora's clothes were extremely elastic; otherwise, Hatch wouldn't even fit inside.
Although the too-tight clothes seemed a bit comical on Hatch, with his fur being squeezed together, it indirectly showed that he acknowledged Zeraora's presence.
"Stop messing around, Hatch, come and help prepare dinner."
"Wait, let me help too. I brought back a lot of good stuff this time. Zeraora, don't make a mess, Wanda is yours to take care of."
Culinary disaster–Zeraora, a fact acknowledged by many on Ghost Island.
...
Bowls, utensils, condiments, jerky, Setsuna had brought back almost all the household necessities, plus a battery and an ice maker. Fur Race's common problem–heat intolerance; an ice-making device is a treasure.
The power issue was easy to solve, as Fur Race all had the ability to generate electricity themselves, and she also brought back a small manual generator.
Setsuna ran into the kitchen, leaving Zeraora and Wanda staring at each other. It wasn't like he hadn't taken care of kids before; Setsuna at first, later Yamato, he had cared for them. He just didn't expect himself to still be in childcare mode after changing places.
As they started preparing for dinner, outside, the Thousand-Year Dragon let out a roar, and upon opening the door, there stood a goat Fur Race wearing a crown.
The current Duke of Zou, Hichugiskhan.
"My Lord Duke."
"My Lord Duke."
"Don't mind me, I heard Setsuna's back, so I came to see. A few years ago, there was news about those two rascals, Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, but Setsuna had no news. It's so good she's back now."
Hichugiskhan took out a handkerchief to wipe his tears; he was just a conservative king without heroic deeds but remembered every Zou resident's name and appearance.
Previously, when Roger came here, he brought letters from Nekomamushi and Inuarashi, confirming their safety long ago. Only Setsuna had remained missing.
While Zou was filled with laughter and joy, a flagless ship was sailing across The Sea, its sail pristine white without any insignia, but judging by the crew's attire, it was apparent they were under the World Government's banner.
The leader gazed at the Life Card fluttering in his hand. Their destination was Zou, their mission to find more suitable experimental subjects for human weaponry research.